{Forty-Three ~ Coffee Shop Girl} {Open Commentlog}

[chorusangel]

[Christine had found herself rather bored, and since the coffee shop-slash-café was now technically in business, it seemed a fairly sensible move to go down to deck 8 and see if anyone wanted a coffee or one of the many little cakes, cookies and pastries she and Amaria had made together. By now, however, she was rather wishing that she'd thought to

Comments

oh hai

[oneeveryminute]

[After the surprise of Ace's brother showing up on the ship had worn off, Russ found himself wandering again, wandering in boredom, walking through the same old decks, wandering as if something fascinating and new might just fall into his lap.

Which it did, as he encountered the newly open coffee shop.]

Well why not.

[Sticking his head in through the door, he rapped his knuckles on the doorframe.]

Knock knock?

well hai thar

[chorusangel]

[Christine whipped around at the knock, having been temporarily distracted by cleaning some already pristine coffee cups. Yes, she was that bored. At least it had been something to do.

But now there was someone here, who probably wanted coffee! Christine smiled, and it widened a little as she recognized the customer.]

Hello Russell. You like a coffee?

[oneeveryminute]

Heya Christine.

[Russ grins as he saunters inside and leans on the counter. Christine is a lovely thing, delicately beautiful in only that way French women seem capable of. And yet she might as well have had a bullseye painted right on her forehead. He never met a more tempting mark ... but this one is Ace's, and he's well aware of that.]

Yeah, sure.

How's business, eh? You just opened?

[chorusangel]

Yes, we just open, and... you first here.

[Christine shrugs awkwardly, slightly embarrassed at having admitted the complete lack of business. Ah well, maybe that would change now.

She pottered about, fixing up a cup of coffee with the kind of care that is only used by someone who doesn't know exactly what they're doing.]

[psychoticracer]

[Erol loved coffee. He all but ran on the stuff. When he was in the brig, it was the caffeine withdrawal that grated as much as boredom. The swill in the buffet, however, was rarely fresh, and often so bitter that he - a purist who had taken his black for as long as he could remember - actually considered adding cream or sugar.

So when Erol passed by the little kiosk and smelled fresh brew... Well. He paused by the door and looked in, cognizant of the fact that if one of Christine's friends was manning the place, he'd likely end up with a shot of arsenic rather than espresso. Still, it was worth a look.

Then he heard that voice. No mistaking that soprano.]

That you, girl?

[chorusangel]

Erol?

[Christine was out of the back like a speeding bullet, an expression of great joy on her face. Of course, she'd known Erol liked coffee, but it had still failed to connect... but now she should see even more of him! How wonderful.

...Now there's just the question of whether or not she can make his coffee perfect.]

[psychoticracer]

Mm, I thought so.

((Erol smirked as his suspicions were confirmed. Strolling in, he leaned on the counter, eye glancing over the lovingly-crafted menu. But artistry didn't matter to him, only content.))

House blend. Whatever counts as a "large" around here.

((He should probably go for a small to taste, but it could hardly be any worse than the buffet coffee, and Erol never went by halves.))

[chorusangel]

Coming up.

[And then she's bustling around fixing up his coffee. Once she'd realised there was a good chance of getting some customers today, she'd decided it would be easier to just keep some coffee brewing rather than starting the whole process again and again for each cup.

...It looked very black, though. Hopefully it won't be too strong. Well, there's nothing for it now. Christine grabs one of the largest cups they have, pours the coffee, and hands it to Erol.]

There!

[chovahano]

[The coffee shop was warmer within than without. Far cozier, also. Deuce instantly approved. Deck 8 was slowly becoming his favorite destination, curiosity moving him to stop in at the various restaurants and cafés, seeing what, if anything, there was for him to see.

So far, the Casino and the Japanese restaurant had held his attention the longest -- the first, because it was nice to be somewhere familiar; the second, because of the all-bear waiting staff.

Lingering in the shop's doorway, Deuce removed his hat, looking around.]

Sastipe?

[chorusangel]

[Christine cut herself off halfway through Margarita's main aria in Faust, and hurried out front to see who her new customer was. One word hadn't really been enough, but it sounded like...]

Monsieur Deuce!

[She smiles warmly, hoping that if he asks for a cup of coffee she can actually make a decent one. Third time lucky and all that. Christine likes Deuce, and doesn't want him to find out so soon just how useless she is.]

[chovahano]

Mademoiselle Christine!

[Deuce's tone was just as effusive, just as warm. Genuine pleasure lit in his eyes at seeing her. He took Christine's hand, giving it the very lightest of kisses.]

Ah, ma chère, a friendlier or more welcome face I could not have prayed for. Had I known I would find you here, I would have thought of coffee sooner.

[chorusangel]

Well, you know now. Though I not always here. Still, it very good to see you.

[Privately, she thinks it's a very good thing Deuce didn't come earlier. For one thing, now she's had Erol's advice on how to make her coffee better, and for another there was Erol himself. Christine is quite sure that Deuce is genuine in his charm, but after what Erol said about Ace... well, perhaps it's better they stay away from each other.]